Weeks 33-36

month nine pictures are somewhat better, but we are almost finished and so ready to hold a baby boy in our arms so.... a little grace when it comes to documentation! ;) 

33 weeks: 

• My left side is pretty much in pain all the time since Asher is mostly pushing on that side. Having a sick toddler to carry around isn't helping either. 
• My bladder feels like it's the size of a marble!
• Had our appointment with the Midwife and baby boy is still head down and heart rate was 145. We scheduled our next 2 week appointment and then the everything after that will go to once a week! We also get an extra ultrasound at the next appointment since we are doing the birthing center. 
• My sweet friends spoiled me with a dinner out and some gifts for Asher. It was fun to have some girl time and celebrate him a little bit!

34 weeks:

• So. Uncomfortable.
• Full on waddle is happening now and I look like a big penguin. 
• Celebrated Thanksgiving and tried to enjoy food as much as I could with little room left. 

35 weeks:

• No big change, just ready to meet this little guy!
• Decorating the house (with my mom's help) and trying to take in all the wonderful Christmas memories! Christmas will mean so much more to me now when I look back on pictures with Solomon and my round belly. 
• Still sick with a cold and Solomon's cold returned, it was a rough week of little sleep and runny noses for both of us. 

36 weeks:

• We enjoyed Peter's work Christmas party and a nice date night out since Gigi got Solomon to sleep at night! It was a fun night with a mocktail and friends. 
• Got so much work done in Asher's room, I'm so excited for him to be here soon!!!
• Drinking a LOT of red raspberry tea and eating my dates in hopes that it will help him come on out. 
• The pain under my right ribs has subsided since his foot has moved down a lot! I definitely feel like he has dropped this week. 

loving two.

Sometimes, I forget to truly take the time to sit and think about the second little miracle growing in my belly, because of this busy life as a mom. I think most moms feel this way with their second child, and I expected it, but it's still heart breaking in a way. I think about all the time and moments that I had with my first pregnancy to sit and wonder and write and dream about what life would be like as a mom. This time around, I'm already in it. 

I'm listening to a sweet little voice all day.... Mommy, hold you.... Mommy, eat.... Mommy, play.... but I'm so looking forward to watching my second little love learn who their mommy is. Watching him lock eyes with me for the first time. Spending the many hours of nursing and rocking during the night. Eventually hearing my important name of Momma leave his lips as he's looking up at me with love. Being a mom to two is a dream come true for sure. 

At night I lay in bed, able to be a mom of one for a little while, a mom to the little guy that is wiggling and kicking around inside of me. I'm ready to sleep and rest but he's ready to say hello. He wakes up with his a long round of hiccups, that I feel may never end, but eventually we both settle for the night and sleep. I never want to forget those little moments with our second boy before he is in our arms. These moments are so important to me, even if I don't get to constantly think about them, like I did the first time around. 

Loving two is such a blessing and I can't wait to feel my heart grow to make room for Asher. I know it will double in size, and I'll love him and Solomon even more because of it. The days are flying by and the end of December will be here so soon. Then I'll be able to hold our new little guy. I can't wait for that day to arrive.

pregnancy post // month eight.

Weeks 29-32

pictures are seriously lacking for month eight, which makes me feel awful, but month nine will be different! 

29 weeks: 

• round ligament pain was really rough at the beginning of the week and caused a lot of problems with sleep. 
• also needing to get up to have cereal at night because I'm so hungry 
• pubic bone is very uncomfortable with a lot of pressure. Baby boy seems to be getting bigger by the day!
• a busy weekend of walking at the apple orchard, and fall for greenville was a LOT, but it was also fun. 

30 weeks:

• my cousins and aunt gave me a beautiful family baby shower and it was such a sweet morning!!!
• can't believe we have 10ish weeks left before we get to meet our new baby boy!!!! I'm so excited!
• Peter was away in Augusta for work and I could tell how worn out I was by the end of the day. I missed him a lot and I'm so thankful for how much he helps when he is home. 
• had a check up with the midwives and all was good! Head is still down, lots of movement and the heart rate was 160. 

31 weeks:

• helped my SIL with my nephews bday party which worked my pregnant butt to death. We were both so tired by Saturday but it was fun!
• Celebrated Halloween with our little family, excited about next year and looking forward to dressing up as a family  of four.
• Starving all the time!!!! I feel like I can't stop eating or snacking
• The cleaning and nesting is crazy right now, but the pelvic pain is also awful, so I'm trying to take it slow and easy as much as possible. 

32 weeks:

• sick with a really bad head cold and lost my voice, which you can tell by picture above! 
• finally working in Asher's room thanks to my mom and Peggy's help, also captured in picture above!!
• the full pregnant lips have appeared, or so I have been told. 
• pelvic area is so sensitive and sore. 
• nesting like crazy and loving it!!!

next month will have better pictures, promise!! ;)

pregnancy post // month seven.

Weeks 25-28

I am sadly so behind with these posts thanks to our busy schedule, but mostly the fact that the editing program that I normally use is no longer free. Grrr, so irritating. So, I'm gonna make do without the editing because I have to keep these memories in one space, even if they look a little different now! 

25 weeks:

• Constantly have to pee. Like, all the time!!!
• Beach vacation made the 25 week mark such a fun and relaxing week!
• Can't believe we are almost finished with the second trimester in just a couple of weeks. 
• Feeling large and in charge, ha!
• Hot flashes are gone for the most part, thankfully. 

26 weeks:

• Braxton hicks contractions all the time!!!
• Not sleeping that well, waking up uncomfortable and having to move around to find a comfy position again. 
• Asher is moving constantly when music is playing, just like his big brother did. 
• We are officially calling him Asher now to see if we like it. I love it, Peter is still not 100% sure. 
• Pregnancy brain is legit this week, I can't even think straight half the time!

27 weeks: 

• Failed the first glucose test, just like I did with Solomon! Hoping to pass the second test, like last time, also. 
• Felt the baby have some serious hiccups for the first time. They lasted FOREVER! 
• Round ligament pain is bothering me again, mainly in the morning. 
• Sore feet and legs every night, hot showers are helping me sleep some. 

Third Trimester

28 weeks: 

• Welcomed the third trimester!!! Can't believe we are in the final trimester of pregnancy. I'm getting very excited to meet our baby boy. 
• Not sleeping that well since I wake up with parts of my body numb and stiff. Makes mornings a little hard to get around for the first little while. 
• I had my first acupuncture appointment for this pregnancy and loved it. Such a relaxing time!
• Passed my 3 hour glucose test but dealing with an annoying UTI! It's been a rough week. 
• Spent the day in Asheville for our anniversary and I was shocked at how worn out I was. The difference from our day in NY (which involved a LOT more walking) and this trip was crazy. 

Asher's Baby Shower.

I was so thankful when my cousin offered to give me and the new baby boy a shower. I honestly thought about saying no at first because I don't really NEED anything for our second little guy, but she told me that all babies should be celebrated, and I couldn't agree more! It was such a beautiful morning on Saturday at her house. She lives almost an hour away, up in the mountains, and it was so gorgeous. All the decorations that my two cousins and aunt put together were perfection. Fall makes me so happy anyways, so this shower was the sweetest thing. 

It was also super awesome to have my favorite scones of all time from Swamp Rabbit at the shower! I devoured one the second I walked in the door, haha!

The sweet ladies that spoiled me and baby Asher! 

Joni set up a little kids table for coloring and eating which Solomon loved!! He was so happy to play with them and he's obsessed with Joanna. He was calling her Jo and following her around the house the whole time. 

Solomon was all about feeding Silas, also, which was so funny!!!

So excited to have two sweet little babies three weeks apart. I'm really excited to see how close they actually end up once they are both born. I also can't wait for the first baby girl on the Eliya side to be born!!! 

During the process of announcing the name I realized how much I prefer the spelling of his name with an ER, not a UR. After some conversations with Peter, we have decided to go with Asher, instead. I'm so happy!!! I can't wait to meet our sweet little boy and see his face. I think that's what I'm most excited about right now. Solomon was such a shock to me since he was identical to my baby pictures, so I can't wait to see what this little nugget looks like!

It was so sweet to have Solomon help me open gifts for Asher. He was so excited and kept exclaiming happily, BABY SHOWER!!! Anytime I would open an outfit he would touch it softly and say baby Asher, so sweetly. I can't wait to see him with his baby brother!!

The biggest surprise during the gifts was the cute little deer hat and pants that I have been dying to have, but I couldn't bring myself to spend money on it. My cousin Jenny did such a great job with this gift thanks to my Mom giving her some hints!

I literally can not wait to take some newborn pictures of his little butt in these pants!!!

Oh man, December can't come soon enough, guys! 

Thank you to my sweet family for this beautiful morning, I honestly can't express how much it meant to me. Our sweet Asher is so lucky to be loved by you so much already. 

Pregnancy Post // third favorites.

The third trimester is almost in my rear view mirror and I'm excited to welcome the fourth trimester! Just being patient and waiting for Solomon to decide on when he is ready!!! But, here are some of the things that I loved during those uncomfortable few months and especially in the last month of pregnancy. 

1 // leggings

These are super comfy and I've been loving them around the house and even sleeping in them at night. I find myself washing them a lot since I'm constantly reaching for them. I'm also packing them in my Momma Bag for the birthing center stay since they will be comfy during that postpartum time also. 

2 // fitness ball

I've been living on this thing during the past few weeks and I know I will be using it a lot during the early stages of labor at home also. 

3 // best pillow everrrrr

Peter actually bought me this pillow for my Mother's Day gift and I've used it every day since but it has been a life changer during these last few months. The more uncomfortable sleeping becomes the more I love this pillow. I also love that it can be used for breast feeding after the baby is here also! My sis-in-law swears by this pillow which made me want to buy it in her first place.

4 // acupuncture

I started going to acupuncture once a week during week 34 and bumped my visits up to twice a week starting in week 37. It has been such a great relaxation technique and I'm interested to see if the labor is "fast and furious" because of it also. I did a lot of research about acupuncture and pregnancy and after reading a lot I thought it was worth a shot. We'll see how it all works out! 

5 // red raspberry leaf tea

I also started drinking this every few days after starting acupuncture and now that I'm in the end of pregnancy I'm trying to drink a cup a day, as long as I remember. It tastes great and the benefits of drinking it before birth and after birth was enough for me! 

6 // dates

I usually gobble down six of these a day while drinking my tea. It has been said to help shorten labor if you eat six a day during the last month of pregnancy and why not, since they taste so great! I'm kind of obsessed with them. Some don't like the taste and have to mix them with something else but I personally love them and could have way more than six a day. My doula also recommended eating them to keep "things regular" during those last few weeks of pregnancy and I can honestly say they have helped a TON! 

7 // hot showers

This is the one thing I can hardly go without. I could honestly take several a day, it just helps me feel more comfortable and I love to have a hot shower before bed and slather my whole body in coconut oil before putting on a pair of clean pajamas. It's a nightly ritual that I don't see ending after having the little man. I'm thinking this will be my ME TIME each day. 

What did you love during those last few months??

packing the bags.

I thought it would be fun to celebrate making it to week 38 by sharing all the many bags I have packed for the big event! It was a little different to pack for a birthing center vs a hospital stay since you only stay there 4-6 hours after the baby arrives, and I haven't seen many packing lists for a birth center delivery, so I thought it would be great to share mine! 

baby bag // momma bag

(both very generous gifts at a baby shower)

The breakdown of the bags are: 

Solomon's Bag
1//one outfit  2//one sleeper  3//going home outfit + hat
4//diapers + wipes  5//two blankets  6//two burp cloths
7//socks  8//mittens  9//hand sanitizer


Momma's Bag
1//night gown  2//pajamas  3//going home outfit  4//two pairs of undies
5//wetbag for clothes  6//nursing bra  7//nipple butter
8//cloth nursing pads  9//swim top for tub  10//socks  11//slippers  13//flipflops


Toiletries Bag
1//hair ties  2//headbands  3//chapstick  4//shampoo & conditioner
5//dry shampoo  6//soap  7//face cleanser  8//face scrub  9//cotton pads
10//cotton swabs  11//toothbrush + toothpaste  12//coconut oil  13//vitamins
14//brush  15//makeup bag


Daddy's Bag
1//cell phones and charger  2//camera with lens and extra battery  3//swimsuit
4//extra set of clothes and underwear  5//pajama pants  6//toothbrush


Snack Bag
1//coconut water  2//larabars  3//bananas  4//cucumbers
5//grapes  6//glass with bendy straw


& the "just in case" Hospital Bag
1//extra sleepers for Solomon  2//extra socks and hats for Solomon
3//diapers + wipes  4//two blankets  5//postpartum wrap  6//breast pump
7//extra clothes and undies for momma  8//extra clothes and undies for daddy


What did I forget?!? Anything that you Momma's out there loved having with you
or anything that I definitely will not need??

pregnancy post // month nine.

well... I'm officially full term, so you can join us anytime, little man!

Weeks 33 - 36

Somehow I missed week 32 & 33... big fail. Ooops!

Some questions we've been asked

are you having a girl // This is probably the most asked question on a daily basis from strangers. I think I offended the poor girl at Target a few weeks ago when she asked if it was a girl. I didn't mean to sound irritated but it is just hilarious that everyone guesses girl, including myself and Peter and a lot of family the entire time leading up to the 20 week ultrasound. All I have to say is, if Solomon comes out as a girl, we will all have a BIG laugh, but based off of the pictures from the ultrasound, I feel pretty safe in the fact that we will have a boy!

is the heat killing you // Honestly, it hasn't been that bad. Just in the past month I have started to have the heat wave feeling where I feel like I'm going to pass out from being overheated but it usually doesn't have anything to do with the weather. It just kind of happens randomly. I'm a very cold natured person so I've still been using my heater at my work desk and there have been several times when I've stepped outside and thought, this feels good! Weird, but I'm thankful for it!

are you ready // YES! I am so ready. I want to hold my baby and kiss him. I want my body back. I want to experience becoming a mother and have that magical moment when our eyes meet for the first time. It is all so exciting and I am beyond ready! Also, especially now that I'm 37 weeks all things are good to go for the birthing center... I've been praying that he would stay put until at least 37 weeks, so I wouldn't have to go to the hospital and now we are in the clear. SO YOU CAN COME ANYTIME NOW, SOLOMON!

Taking Stock 007

^^^ the cutest little frog thanks to Diana Basna Artist!

It's so nice to have a talented and sweet cousin!!!

Just fair warning... this is most definitely a pregnancy/baby taking stock post because that is honestly all my brain can comprehend at this point. Sorry, it's the truth and there is no escaping it, so I decided to go with it. 

Making // so, so many to do lists
Cooking // hardly anything, I just don't have the desire or energy
Drinking // water and crunching ice like a champ
Reading // so many amazing birth stories lately (also watching, like this video that made me cry like a baby)
Wanting // my body back
Looking // forward to all the fun holidays ahead with our little boy
Wasting // nothing....? I guess it's a good sign that I can't think of anything being wasted right now
Wishing // little man would stop pressing on my gallbladder
Enjoying // all the great massages that husband has been giving
Liking // the relaxing acupuncture appointments I started last week
Wondering // how the sleeping/feeding schedule will work out but putting together my Mom's On Call inspired schedule makes me all kinds of giddy
Loving // the way Solomon's room is finally coming together
Hoping // baby boy comes on time... or before time, either would be great
Marveling // at how my body has made room for another person, God's way of creating life is amazing and I'm so thankful to be a part of HIS plan
Needing // to finish packing those bags for the big day
Smelling // everything, that sensitive pregnancy nose will not be missed
Wearing // flats, not even gonna attempt to wear heels until October
Following // all the amazing mommas on instagram
Noticing // how much I hate not knowing when Solomon will decide to make his first appearance, the planner in me is dying
Knowing // our world is about to change forever, but I can not wait
Thinking // about how we are ONE MONTH EXACTLY from the due date (insert heart eyes emoji)
Bookmarking // so many books and advice on Pinterest for postpartum help
Opening // my new planner that I bought for the new season of parenthood (will share soon!!!)
Giggling // about all the tiny pieces of clothing that I have been washing and folding, it makes me feel so happy I might burst
Feeling // impatient

Pregnancy Post // month eight.

things are getting real around here.....

so excited to be getting closer to the end and meeting our baby boy!

Weeks 29 - 32

I completely failed with week 32! Peter was traveling at the beginning of the week,
and we were on vacation during the end of the week so I was very busy and very tired!

Some questions we've been asked


are you getting nervous // no, but I am definitely getting ready! I'm at the point now when I constantly think about when he is going to come and trying my best to be patient because I'm excited to see when he will arrive. I know I still have several weeks to go, so being patient is key.

how long are you taking off of work // we recently decided that my last day before maternity leave will be August 28th so I can relax and get ready for baby boy if he doesn't join us earlier than then. I will be taking 8 weeks leave and I'll decide during that time if I want to go back. I've always loved the idea of being a stay at home mom and I can't imagine not loving it, but I know there are women who think they will love it and are more than ready to go back to work. I think that is one of the best parts of maternity leave, you can decide what is best for you and your family.

Pregnancy Post // month seven.

into my third trimester and onto my eighth month....

how is this happening?!?

Weeks 25 - 28

Some questions we've been asked

how are you seven months // a lot of people have asked this question and I guess it can be confusing since a lot of women use the nine month guideline for pregnancy but I decided to use the 10 month guide since that is really more accurate.

The 10 month guide says:

Month 1 = weeks 1-4 (when you are really not pregnant at all since this is based off of your last cycle)

Month 2 = weeks 5-8

Month 3 = weeks 9-12

Month 4 = weeks 13-16

Month 5 = weeks 17-20

Month 6 = weeks 21-24

Month 7 = weeks 25-28

Month 8 = weeks 29-32

Month 9 = weeks 33-36

Month 10 (full term) = weeks 37-40

I also love the fact that my midwife group will allow me to go to week 43 before intervening with any type of medicine to push this baby along. Most first time moms will go into natural labor between 41-42 weeks but I'm hoping Solomon will want to come earlier than that!!

are you having him in the hospital, or at home // well, neither. I was 100% preparing to have Solomon at the hospital with the Midwife Team but now that their birthing center (across the street from the hospital) is open, I will be having him there, as long as all goes as planned! I'm very excited for the experience of laboring at home with Peter and our doula, then heading to the BEAUTIFUL birth center once things start progressing. The rooms are spacious with a big bed, shower and birthing tub. We will learn more about the birthing center at the orientation session next month.